Land acquisition major hurdle in road construction: Gadkari

Land acquisition is a major problem in road construction projects and state governments should come out with solutions and help find a way out, Union minister Nitin Gadkari said in the Rajya Sabha on Monday.

Replying to queries during Question Hour, he said the main problem in delay of projects was land acquisition as the cost was very high in some states, but claimed his ministry had saved NPAs worth 3 lakh crore during the past five years through early implementation.

Gadkari said some state governments are now coming forward to assure the ministry of easing land acquisition process and bearing its cost, which is helping in early implementation of projects.

"The main problem relates to land acquisition. Land acquisition cost is very high and problematic. In the last regime, we have awarded projects worth Rs 11 lakh crore.

"Land acquisition is so much that it is very difficult for the government to bear the cost. This is the time for the state government that we should .